Message transfer system including display device, mobile device and message transfer method thereof

ABSTRACT

A display device is provided, which includes a memory which stores a plurality of templates which are differently set according to kinds of messages, a detector which detects different pieces of status information, a display which displays a message transfer screen, a controller which automatically generates a message through combination of at least one of the plurality of templates and at least one of the different pieces of status information, which respectively correspond to a selected kind of message, when the kind of message to be transferred is selected on the message transfer screen, and a communicator which transfers the message to an external device. Accordingly, the display device can conveniently transfer the generated message.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No.10-2013-0000322, filed on Jan. 2, 2013 and No. 10-2013-0012155, filed onFeb. 4, 2013, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Apparatuses and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate toproviding a message transfer system including a display device, a mobiledevice, and a message transfer method thereof, and more particularly toproviding a message transfer system including a display device, a mobiledevice, and a message transfer method thereof, which can convenientlytransfer a message through acquisition of information related to acurrent state.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, with the growth of communication technology and electronicdevice technology, various portable communication devices and displaydevices have been developed. Many people possess personal portablecommunication devices, and display devices that perform variousfunctions have been installed in many vehicles.

In the case of communication devices, even if the technology is furtherdeveloped, phone calls and text messages are some of the primary methodsto transfer information to another party. Further, phone calls, textmessages, and web search are some of the primary methods to receiveinformation.

In particular, a primary method that is used to conveniently transferinformation to another party is text message transfer. However, for suchtext message transfer, a text input process is necessary to prepare aphrase. In special situations, such as driving a car, such a text inputprocess may be dangerous. Furthermore, mistyping may occur during thetext input process. Although the size of the display of portablecommunication devices has become larger, it is relatively smaller thanthose of other display devices due to the characteristic of the portabledevice itself. Accordingly, in order to perform text input through sucha relatively small screen, it is necessary for a user to concentratehis/her attention thereon, and this may cause inconvenience in use anddanger in the special situations.

In order to solve the above-described problem, technology to transfertext by voice recognition has been researched. However, a user's voiceis often not completely recognized or is not completely converted intotext.

Accordingly, there is a need for technology that enables a user toconveniently send a text message using the display device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments address at least the above problems and/ordisadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, theexemplary embodiments are not required to overcome the disadvantagesdescribed above, and an exemplary embodiment may not overcome any of theproblems described above.

One or more exemplary embodiments provide a message transfer systemincluding a display device, a mobile device, and a message transfermethod thereof, which can conveniently transfer a message throughacquisition of current status information of the user.

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided adisplay device includes a memory configured to store a plurality oftemplates which are differently set according to kinds of messages; adetector configured to detect different pieces of status information; adisplay configured to display a message transfer screen; a controllerconfigured to automatically generate a message through combination of atleast one of the plurality of templates and at least one of thedifferent pieces of status information, which respectively correspond toa selected kind of message, when the kind of message to be transferredis selected on the message transfer screen; and a communicatorconfigured to transfer the generated message to an external device.

The plurality of templates can be configured to be updated according toa user operation.

The kinds of messages may include at least one of a first message fornotifying of location information of the display device, a secondmessage for notifying of traffic status information, a third message fornotifying of estimated arrival time information, a fourth message fornotifying of weather information, and a fifth message for notifying ofcontent information that is reproduced through the display device, andthe status information may include at least one of the locationinformation of the display device, the traffic status information, theestimated arrival time information, the weather information, and thecontent information that is reproduced through the display device.

The kinds of messages can be configured to be edited according to a useroperation.

The controller may be configured to control the communicator to transfercall details and location information of the display device to a serverwhen a phone call is made.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a message transfer method of a display device includesdetecting different pieces of status information; displaying a messagetransfer screen; automatically generating a message through combinationof one of a plurality of stored templates that are differently setaccording to kinds of messages and at least one of the different piecesof status information, which respectively correspond to a selected kindof message, when the kind of message to be transferred is selected onthe message transfer screen; and transferring the generated message toan external device.

The plurality of stored templates can be updated according to a useroperation.

The kinds of messages may include at least one of a first message fornotifying of location information of the display device, a secondmessage for notifying of traffic status information, a third message fornotifying of estimated arrival time information, a fourth message fornotifying of weather information, and a fifth message for notifying ofcontent information that is reproduced through the display device, andthe status information may include at least one of the locationinformation of the display device, the traffic status information, theestimated arrival time information, the weather information, and thecontent information that is reproduced through the display device.

The kinds of messages can be edited according to a user operation.

The message transfer method according to the aspect of the presentdisclosure may further include transferring call details and locationinformation of the display device to a server when a phone call is made.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a message transfer system including a mobile device and adisplay device, including the mobile device configured to transfer areceived message and sender information to the display device; and thedisplay device configured to detect different pieces of statusinformation, display a message transfer screen, automatically generate amessage through combination of one of a plurality of stored templatesthat are differently set according to kinds of messages and at least oneof the different pieces of status information, which respectivelycorrespond to a selected kind of message, when the kind of message to betransferred is selected on the message transfer screen, and transfer thegenerated message to the mobile device so that the mobile device sendsthe message as the sender information, wherein the mobile device isconfigured to transfer the generated message as the sender information.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a method of generating a message including: displaying vehicleinformation and other information on a display screen in a vehicle;storing template information that corresponds to each of the vehicleinformation and the other information; selecting, though a user input,at least one of the displayed vehicle information and the otherinformation; and generating the message by combining the selectedinformation and corresponding template information.

The method may further include transferring the generated message to anexternal device.

The external device may be a mobile device.

The message may be a short message service (SMS) message.

The vehicle information may include information generated by sensors inthe vehicle.

The other information may include information from a mobile device.

As described above, according to the various exemplary embodiments, themessage can be conveniently transferred based on the current statusinformation of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and/or other aspects will be more apparent by describingcertain exemplary embodiments with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a message transfer system according toan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a system between a server and a mobiledevice according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a display device according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a mobile device according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a timing chart illustrating a method for receiving currentstatus information from a vehicle and a server and generating a message;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating current status information detected bya display device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows diagrams illustrating a message transfer/reception processaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show diagrams illustrating a message generationprocess in a display device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 shows diagrams illustrating a process of editing a message kindmenu according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a use example of a mobile device and adisplay device connected to a vehicle according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a displaydevice according to an aspect of another exemplary;

FIG. 13 is a timing chart illustrating a method for receiving currentstatus information and generating a message according to an aspect ofanother exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a data frame format of Controller AreaNetwork (CAN) according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a message transfer method of a display deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, certain exemplary embodiments are described in greaterdetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description, like drawing reference numerals are usedfor the same elements, even in different drawings. The matters definedin the following description, such as detailed construction andelements, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of theexemplary embodiments. However, the exemplary embodiments can bepracticed without those specifically defined maters. Well-knownfunctions or constructions are not described in detail since they wouldobscure the exemplary embodiments with unnecessary detail. Also, thefollowing terms are defined considering functions of the exemplaryembodiments, and may be differently defined according to the intentionof an operator or custom. Therefore, the terms should be defined basedon the overall contents of the specification.

As used herein, expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding alist of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modifythe individual elements of the list.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a message transfer system 1000according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, a message transfer system 1000 includes a displaydevice 100, a mobile device 200, and an electronic control unit (ECU)300.

The display device 100 may be built in a vehicle or may be detachablyinstalled in the vehicle. For example, the display device 100 may be ahead unit, a navigator, a tablet personal computer (PC), or a digitalframe provided in the vehicle. The display device 100 may displayvarious kinds of status information of the vehicle and control menusreceived from the electronic control unit 300, or may displayapplications transferred from the mobile device 200.

The mobile device 200 may be a mobile phone, a smart phone, or apersonal digital assistant (PDA), which includes a cellularcommunication module (not illustrated). The cellular communicationmodule is configured to connect to an external device (not illustrated)through a base station of a cellular system through at least one orplural antennas (not illustrated) using a wireless access technologyaccording to a cellular communication protocol. The mobile device 200transmits and receives a wireless signal that contains a voice call, avideo call, or a message with another communicable device having aninput phone number.

The electronic control unit 300 refers to an embedded system thatcontrols at least one of an electrical system and a sub-system of thevehicle. The electronic control unit 300 may include anelectrical/engine control module, a power train control module, atransfer control module, a brake control module, a central controlmodule, a central timing control module, a general electronic module, abody control module, and a suspension control module. Accordingly, theelectronic control unit 300 receives information from various kinds ofsensors included in the vehicle and controls all parts of the vehicle,such as an auto-transmission, a driving system, a braking system, and asteering system.

The display device 100 may be connected to the mobile device 200 and theelectronic control unit 300 using various communication methods. Forexample, the display device 100 may be connected to the mobile device200 by wire using USB or the like. Further, the display device 100 maybe wirelessly connected to the mobile device 200 using a near fieldcommunication system, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth™. The mobile device 200that is connected to the display device 100 may transfer various kindsof data including received calls and messages to the display device 100.The display device 100 may store or display the various kinds of datatransferred from the mobile device 200. Further, if a data transfercommand is input from outside the display device, the display device 100may send the corresponding data and a transfer command to the mobiledevice 200. The mobile device 200 may transfer the data received fromthe display device 100 to an external device according to the transfercommand. The display device 100 and the mobile device 200 may transferor receive mutual authority information, and may encrypt a message to betransferred. When transferring and receiving the data, the displaydevice 100 or the mobile device 200 which has received the data mayconfirm the authority information and perform the correspondingoperation, so that malfunction due to the other device or erroneous datatransfer can be prevented.

The display device 100 may be connected to the electronic control unit300. In an exemplary embodiment, the display device 100 and theelectronic control unit 300 may be connected to each other by a CAN(Controller Area Network) method. The CAN will be described later. Theelectronic control unit 300 may be connected to the display device 100and may transfer detected vehicle status information to the displaydevice 100, and the display device 100 may display or store thetransferred vehicle status information. Further, the display device 100may display a vehicle control menu, and if a vehicle control command isinput from a user, the display device 100 may transfer the input controlcommand to the electronic control unit 300. For example, the user canperform a vehicle control, such as headlight on/off and indoortemperature setting, through the display device 100. The electroniccontrol unit 300 that has received the control command may control thecorresponding module.

With respect to a call command, a message transfer command, or a datatransfer/reception command that is received from the display device 100,the mobile device 200 may connect to an external mobile device or aserver and perform an operation corresponding to the received command.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a system 2000 between a server and amobile device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, first and second mobile devices 200-1 and 200-2 anda server 400 are illustrated.

As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the first and second mobiledevices 200-1 and 200-2 include cellular communication modules (notillustrated). Accordingly, the first mobile device 200-1 and the secondmobile device 200-2 are connected to each other using a wireless accesstechnology according to a general cellular communication protocol. Thefirst and second mobile devices 200-1 and 200-2 can perform voice calls,video calls, message transfers, and data transfers. The first and secondmobile devices 200-1 and 200-2 may communicate with the server 400.

In the system illustrated in FIG. 2, various kinds of servers 400 may beprovided according to various functions. The first and second mobiledevices 200-1 and 200-2 may perform the same functions in relation tothe server 400, and thus, hereinafter, the first and second mobiledevices 200-1 and 200-2 will be described as the mobile device 200.

For example, in the case where the mobile device 200 requests weatherinformation from the server 400, the server 400 may be a weatherinformation server that stores weather information. In the case wherethe mobile device 200 request geographical information from the server400, the server 400 may be a map data server that stores map-relateddata. In the case where the mobile device 200 request trafficinformation from the server 400, the server 400 may be a trafficinformation server that stores real-time traffic information. The server400 may not be limited to performing one specific function, but maystore various kinds of information. Further, in the case where themobile device 200 requests information, the server 400 may searchanother server or a web and to transfer the requested information. Asanother example, the server 400 may not be a physically existing server,but may be a web, such as the Internet. Further, the server 400 may be amanagement server that generates a user profile corresponding to userinformation received from the mobile device 200 and stores user-relatedinformation.

For example, the mobile device 200 and the server 400 may be connectedusing a wireless LAN method, such as Wi-Fi.

As described above, the mobile device 200 may connect to another mobiledevice using the cellular communication method to transmit or receivevoice calls or data, or may connect to a server using a wireless LANmethod to transmit or receive data. Up to now, the message transfersystem and the system between the server 400 and the mobile device 200have been described. Hereinafter, a display device 100 and a mobiledevice 200, which are included in the message transfer system, will bedescribed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the display device according to anexemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, a display device 100 includesa memory 110, a detector 120, a display 130, a controller 140, and acommunicator 150.

In the memory, a plurality of templates, which are differently setaccording to the kinds of messages, are stored. The kinds of messagesrefers to a category that is predetermined for the display device 100 toconveniently transfer messages. For example, the kinds of messages mayinclude a first message for transferring location information of thedisplay device 100, a second message for transferring traffic statusinformation, a third message for transferring estimated arrival timeinformation, a fourth message for transferring weather information, anda fifth message for transferring content information that is reproducedin the vehicle. The content may be reproduced in the display device 100,the mobile device 200, or another content reproduction device (notillustrated) located in the vehicle. The kinds of message may includemessages for transferring current user status, passenger boardinginformation, vehicle speed information, temperature information, andradio channel information that a user listens to.

The template refers to a prescribed form, and may include predeterminedphrases and predetermined images.

The different templates are stored in the memory 110 to correspond tothe kinds of messages. For example, a template “I'm passing” may bestored in relation to the location information, and a template “Thetraffic is” may be stored in relation to the traffic status information.A template “I'll be there around” may be stored in relation to theestimated arrival time information, and a template “Today is” may bestored in relation to weather information. Different templates arestored according to the kinds of messages, and one template may bestored to correspond to one message kind. The stored templates and themessage kinds may be updated or edited according to a user operation.Further, the memory may store plural pieces of status informationdetected by the detector 120.

Further, if the display device makes a call, the memory may store calldetails to be transferred to the server 400. The display device maytransfer the call details to the server 400 in real time without storingthe call details.

The detector 120 detects different pieces of status information. Thestatus information may refer to the location information of the displaydevice 100, the traffic status information, the estimated arrival timeinformation, the weather information, and the content information thatis reproduced. Further, the status information may be current userstatus information, passenger boarding information, vehicle speedinformation, temperature information, and radio channel information thata user listens to. The location of the display device 100 may refer to alocation that is detected through reception of a GPS signal. The userstatus information refers to whether the user is driving.

For example, the detector 120 may detect location information of thedisplay device 100 through reception of the GPS signal, or may detectthe traffic status information, the estimated arrival time information,the vehicle speed information, the weather information, or thetemperature information through storing the information therein orthrough reception of various information from a server (not illustrated)that can search for the information. The display device 100 may beconnected by wire or wirelessly to the electronic control unit 300 ofthe vehicle. Accordingly, the vehicle speed information may be detectedthrough reception of related information from the vehicle.

The user status information, for example, “during driving,” may bedetected at a moment when a user connects the mobile device 200 to thedisplay device 100. Specifically, the user status information may bedetected in a manner such that if the vehicle speed information is lessthan 5 km/s after the mobile device 200 is connected to the displaydevice, “drive standby state” may be detected, and if the vehicle speedinformation is more than 5 km/s, “drive state” may be detected. Theabove-described examples are exemplary, and the drive standby state andthe drive state may be set according to various standards.

The passenger boarding information may be detected in a manner such thatpassengers are detected using a detection sensor provided in the vehicleand the passenger information detected by the electronic control unit300 is transferred to the display device. Further, the passengerboarding information may be detected in a manner such that the displaydevice 100 performs communication with terminal devices carried by thepassengers. Further, the passenger boarding information may be manuallyinput by a user and may be stored in the memory 110.

The detector 120 may detect content information that is reproduced inthe display device 100. If the content is being reproduced in the mobiledevice 200, the mobile device may transfer the content information thatis being reproduced to the display device 100. If the content isreproduced in another content reproduction device in the vehicle, thedisplay device 100 or the mobile device 200 collects audio data of thecontent that is being reproduced and transfers the collected audio datato the server 400 through the mobile device 200. The server 400 searchesfor content information that coincides with the received audio data andtransfers the searched content information to the mobile device 200. Themobile device 200 transfers the received content information to thedisplay device 100. Through the above-described process, the displaydevice may acquire the content information that is being reproduced inthe other content reproduction device in the vehicle.

The display 130 displays a message transfer screen. The message transferscreen may include an opposite party (i.e., another party) for messagetransfer, a message kind selection menu, and a text to be transferred.Further, if the mobile device 200 receives a call signal, the mobiledevice 200 transfers the received call signal to the display device 100.The display 130 of the display device 100 may display sender informationof the received call signal. The display 130 may be implemented by atleast one of a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquidcrystal display, an organic light emitting diode, a flexible display,and a three-dimensional (3D) display.

If the kind of message to be transferred is selected on the messagetransfer screen, the controller 140 automatically generates a messagethrough combination of the template and status information, whichcorrespond to the selected kind of the message. If a call is made, thecontroller 140 controls the communicator 150 to transmit the calldetails and the location information of the display device 100 to themobile display 200. The controller 140 controls respective constituentelements of the display device 100 including the memory 110, thedetector 120, the display 130, and the communicator 150.

The communicator 150 transfers the message to the mobile device 200.Further, the communicator 150 may transmit or receive various data withthe mobile device 200, transfer a user command to the mobile device 200,receive vehicle status information from the electronic control unit 300of the vehicle, or transfer the user command to the electronic controlunit 300.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a mobile device 200 according to anexemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, a mobile device 200 includes a communicator 210, amemory 220, and a controller 230.

The communicator 210 functions to connect the mobile device 200 to anexternal mobile device or a display device 100. The communicator 210includes a cellular communication module (not illustrated). Accordingly,the communicator 210 can transfer and receive a voice call, a videocall, or a message with the external mobile device or the server.Further, the communicator 210 may include at least one of a wireless LANmodule (not illustrated) or a near field communication module (notillustrated). Further, the communicator 210 may be provided with a USBconnector to be connected to the display device 100 through a USB cable.Accordingly, the communicator 210 can transfer and receive data with thedisplay device 100. For example, the communicator 210 receives a messagefrom the external mobile device. The communicator 210 transfers thereceived message to the display device 100 under the control of thecontroller 230. The transfer of the received message may be performedaccording to a message transfer request command included in apredetermined application of the display device 100 if the applicationis executed. Further, if the mobile device 200 and the display device100 are connected to each other, the mobile device 200 may be set so asto automatically transfer the message or the call received through themobile device 200 to the display device 100.

Further, the communicator 210 receives the message, receiver informationto receive the generated message, and the message transfer command fromthe display device. The message received from the display device 100 istransferred to a receiver according to the transfer command.

The memory 220 functions to store various programs required to drive themobile device 200 and data. The memory 220 may store the messagereceived from the external mobile device, and temporarily store thegenerated message that is received from the display device 100. Further,the memory 220 may store inherent information and setting information ofthe display device 100 and the mobile device 200. For example, thememory may include a ROM, a RAM, or a memory card (e.g., an SD card or amemory stick) that can be detachably mounted in the mobile device 200.Further, the memory may include a nonvolatile memory and a volatilememory.

The controller 230 controls the communicator 210 to transfer a call or amessage received from an external device to the display device 100 andto receive the generated message from the display device 100. Further,if a user command input to the display device 100 is received throughthe communicator 210, the controller 230 performs the correspondingcontrol operation.

Up to now, the display device 100 and the mobile device 200 have beendescribed using the block diagrams. Hereinafter, a method for generatinga message in the display device 100 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart illustrating a method for receiving currentstatus information from a vehicle and a server and generating a messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the display device 100 receives vehicle informationfrom the electronic control unit 300 of the vehicle (S510). For example,the information received from the electronic control unit 300 of thevehicle may be vehicle speed information, vehicle outdoor temperatureinformation, vehicle indoor temperature information, and locationinformation. The temperature information may be detected by a sensormounted on the vehicle and may be transferred to the display device 100through the electronic control unit 300. The speed information may bedetected by a sensor mounted on the vehicle or may be indirectlyacquired from the information on the engine revolution measured forengine control and the degree of opening of an accelerator. If a GPSmodule is mounted on the vehicle, the vehicle location informationreceived from the mounted GPS module may be transferred to the displaydevice 100. In the present exemplary embodiment, the display device 100may be built in the vehicle, or may be detachably mounted on thevehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the displaydevice 100 is attached to the vehicle, and in consideration of the errorrange of the GPS signal, vehicle location information, locationinformation of the display device 100, and the location information ofthe mobile device 200 are considered to be the same.

The display device 100 may connect to the electronic control unit 300using a CAN communication method, and all information measured anddetected through the electronic control unit 300 can be automaticallytransferred to the display device 100. The display device 100 may storevarious vehicle information received from the vehicle, and may displaythe received information through the display.

The mobile device 200 receives various kinds of information from theserver 400 or the web. For example, the various kinds of information mayinclude location information of the mobile device 200, trafficinformation, and weather information. If the mobile device 200 includesthe GPS module (not illustrated), the mobile device 200 may receive thelocation information of the mobile device 200 through the GPS module. Asdescribed above, the location information of the mobile device 200, thevehicle location information, and the location information of thedisplay device 100 are considered to be the same. The trafficinformation and the weather information may be received from the server400 or the web. Further, in the case where the content is reproduced inanother content reproduction device in the vehicle, the mobile device200 may transfer the audio data of the content being reproduced to theserver 400. The server 400 may search for the content information usingthe received audio data, and then may transfer the searched contentinformation to the mobile device 200.

The mobile device 200 transmits the received information to the displaydevice 100 (S530). As described above, the various kinds of informationmay include the location information of the mobile device 200, thetraffic information, and the weather information. On the other hand, ifthe mobile device 200 has map data and navigator function, the mobiledevice 200 can acquire the estimated arrival time information from thestored map data and navigation application. If the content is reproducedin the mobile device 200, the mobile device 200 can acquire the contentinformation being reproduced. As described above, the mobile device 200may transfer not only the information received from the server 400 orthe web, but also the information acquired by the mobile device 200 tothe display device 100. The information to be transferred from themobile device 200 to the display device 100 may be requested from themobile device 200 through the display device 100. The detector 120 ofthe display device 100 detects the kind and status of the informationfrom the received information. The detected information is stored in thememory 110.

Alternatively, at least one of the vehicle location information, theestimated arrival time information, and the content information beingreproduced may be acquired by the display device 100. For example, ifthe display device 100 includes the GPS module (not illustrated), thevehicle location information can be directly acquired from the displaydevice 100. If the display device 100 can perform map data andnavigation function, the display device 100 can directly acquire theestimated arrival time information. In the case of the content beingreproduced in the display device 100, the display device 100 candirectly acquire the content information. If the display device 100, themobile device 200, and the electronic control unit 300 acquire pluralpieces of the same information, the display device 100 may not requestthe corresponding information from the mobile device 200 or theelectronic control unit 300. Further, if the display device 100 acquiresplural pieces of the same information, the display device 100 may storeonly one piece of information in the order of their determinedpriorities.

The display device 100 prepares a message (S540). The display device 100stores the information received from the mobile device 200 and theelectronic control unit 300 of the vehicle. The mobile device 200 or theelectronic control unit 300 of the vehicle may automatically transferthe various kinds of information to the display device 100 at apredetermined time or at a time when a specific event occurs. Forexample, if the vehicle indoor temperature information is changed afterthe electronic control unit 300 transfers the vehicle indoor temperatureinformation to the display device 100, the electronic control unit 300may automatically transfer the changed vehicle indoor temperatureinformation to the display device 100. Further, if the estimated arrivaltime information is changed, the mobile device 200 may automaticallytransfer the changed estimated arrival time information to the displaydevice 200. Further, the mobile device 200 or the electronic controlunit 300 may transfer the information at predetermined intervals, forexample, at intervals of one minute or five minutes, and the displaydevice 100 may periodically request the information transfer from themobile device 200 or the electronic control unit 300. The detailedmessage preparation method will be described later.

The display device 100 transfers the prepared message to the mobiledevice 200. If the display device 100 receives a message preparationcompletion command or a message transfer command, it transfers theprepared message to the mobile device 200. The mobile device 200transmits the message received from the display device 100 to theexternal mobile device (S560).

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating current status information detected bythe display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, different pieces of status information 10 thatcorrespond to the kinds of messages are illustrated. The plural piecesof status information 10 may be detected by the detector 120 and may bestored in the memory 110. According to circumstances, the plural piecesof status information 10 detected and stored may be displayed on thedisplay 130 according to a status information viewing menu.

The plural pieces of status information may be received from the mobiledevice 200 or the electronic control unit 300. Further, the statusinformation may be acquired from the display device 100. That is, thevehicle location information may be acquired from the display device100, the mobile device 200, or the electronic control module 300depending on whether the devices include the GPS module (notillustrated). The traffic information and the weather information may betransferred from the mobile device 200 to the display device 100. Theestimated arrival time information and the content information beingreproduced may be transferred from the mobile device 200 or may beacquired by the display device 300. The speed information and thetemperature information may be transferred from the electronic controlunit 300 to the display device 100. The various kinds of informationtransferred to the display device 100 may be detected for statusinformation by the detector 120, and may be stored in the memory 110.

As an example, and as illustrated in FIG. 6, the user locationinformation may be detected as follows and stored.

User location is Kangnam Station, vehicle speed is 60 km, weather iscloudy, song being reproduced is Doremi song, estimated arrival time is06:00 PM, and current temperature is 14° C. The status informationillustrated in FIG. 6 is exemplary, and other status information may bedetected and stored.

If a user selects one of the message kind menus, the controller 140selects the corresponding status information among the stored pluralpieces of status information 10, combines the selected statusinformation with the predetermined template, and generates a completedsentence.

FIG. 7 shows diagrams illustrating a message transfer/reception processaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 7, the display device 100 is connected to themobile device 200. The display device 100 reproduces music A whileperforming a navigation function. The mobile device 200 receives amessage. If the message is received, the mobile device 200 transfers thereceived message to the display device 100. The mobile device 200transfers a sender name that sent the message, a sender phone number, asender photograph, and message contents to the display device 100.

Referring to (b) of FIG. 7, the display device 100 receives the messagefrom the mobile device 200 and displays the received message on thescreen. As an example, the display device 100 may divide the screen intotwo areas, and display the message contents on an upper divided area 21and sender information, such as sender name, sender phone number, andsender photograph, on a lower divided area 22.

The lower area 22 of the display 130 may be set as a menu area formaking a call to the sender or sending a response message. Accordingly,if the user taps the lower area 22, the screen may be changed to ascreen for making a call to the sender or preparing a response message.The details of the message preparation will be described later. If themessage preparation is completed and a transfer menu is selected, thedisplay device 100 transfers the generated message and a messagetransfer command to the mobile device 200.

Referring to (c) of FIG. 7, the message transfer menu has been selected,and the display device 100 has transferred the generated message and themessage transfer command to the mobile device 200. After transferringthe message transfer command, the display device 100 returns to thestate the display device 100 was at before the message was received.That is, the display device 100 displays the reproduction state of themusic A on the screen while performing the navigation function. If amessage is received, the display device 100 may stop the content beingreproduced or continue the reproduction. Whether to continue or stop thecontent reproduction during the message reception may be set by a user'ssetting.

The mobile device 200 transfers the generated message according to themessage transfer command. If needed, the mobile device 200 maytemporarily store the generated message in the memory 220, and if themessage transfer is successful, the mobile device 200 may delete thetemporarily stored message. If the message transfer fails, the mobiledevice 200 may transfer the result of failure to the display device 100so as to enquire whether to attempt to retransfer the message. At thistime, the display device 100 may display the prepared message withpredetermined warning sound and display retransfer selection menu.

Hereinafter, the method for preparing a message will be described infurther detail.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show diagrams illustrating a message generationprocess in the display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 8, the display 130 of the display device 100may display two areas. A navigation screen and a content screen beingreproduced may be displayed on the upper area 21, and the opposite partyfor message transfer and a new message preparation button may bedisplayed on the lower area 22. If the user selects the new messagepreparation button that is displayed on the lower area 22, the screen ischanged. (a) of FIG. 8 is merely exemplary. If the user taps the senderinformation in a state where the sender information of the receivedmessage is displayed on the lower area 22, a call connection or messagepreparation selection menu may be displayed.

Referring to (b) of FIG. 8, the display 130 displays the change screen.The opposite party and a call button may be displayed on the upper area21, and a message preparation window and a message kind selection button51 may be displayed on the lower area 22. If the user selects a callbutton, the display device 100 attempts a call connection with theopposite party displayed on the upper area 21. If the user prepares themessage on the message preparation window and selects the transferbutton, the prepared message is transferred to the opposite party. Ifthe user selects the message kind selection button 51, the screen may bechanged to a screen on which an icon for selecting the predeterminedmessage kind is displayed.

Referring to (c) of FIG. 8, the screen 23, on which a simple messagetransfer menu is displayed, is displayed. The screen 23, on which thesimple message transfer menu is displayed, includes the opposite partyand a predetermined message kind selection icon. The predeterminedmessage kind selection icon may include a location information transfericon 53, a traffic status information transfer icon 55, an estimatedarrival time information transfer icon 57, a weather informationtransfer icon 59, and a reproduced content information transfer icon 61.If the user selects the location information transfer icon 53, thecontroller 140 generates a sentence through combination of thepredetermined template with the status information detected by thedetector 120.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 9, a screen that displays the generatedsentence is illustrated. For example, it is assumed that the memory 110stores a template “I'm passing” to correspond to the locationinformation transfer message, and the detector 120 detects locationinformation “XXX Street.” In this case, corresponding to the user'sselection of the location information transfer icon 53, the controller140 extracts and combines “I'm passing” and “XXX Street.” The display130 displays the combined information “I'm passing XXX Street.” The usermay additionally select another message. For example, the user may alsoselect the traffic status information transfer icon 55.

Referring to (b) of FIG. 9, a screen that the display 130 displays tocorrespond to the user's selection is illustrated. For example, it isassumed that the memory 110 stores a template “The traffic is” tocorrespond to the traffic status information transfer message, and thedetector 120 detects the traffic status information “Heavy.” In thiscase, corresponding to the user's selection of the traffic statusinformation transfer icon 55, the controller 140 extracts and combines“The traffic is” and “Heavy.” The display 130 displays the combinedinformation “The traffic is Heavy.” The user may additionally select theestimated arrival time information transfer icon 57.

Referring to (c) of FIG. 9, a screen that the display 130 displays tocorrespond to the user's selection is illustrated. For example, it isassumed that the memory 110 stores a template “I'll be there” tocorrespond to the estimated arrival time information transfer message,and the detector 120 detects the estimated arrival time information“around PM 06:00.” In this case, corresponding to the user's selectionof the estimated arrival time information transfer icon 57, thecontroller 140 extracts and combines “I'll be there” and “around PM06:00.” The display 130 displays the combined information “I'll be therearound PM 06:00.” The user may prepare messages as many as thepredetermined kinds of messages. If the user selects the transfer button63, the combined sentence that is displayed on the display 130 istransferred to the opposite party.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the kinds of messages including the locationinformation transfer message, the traffic status information transfermessage, the estimated arrival time information transfer message, theweather information transfer message, and the reproduced contentinformation transfer message have been described. However, the kinds ofmessages can be edited by the user.

FIG. 10 shows diagrams illustrating a process of editing a message kindmenu according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 10, the display 130 may display an editionscreen 33 of a message menu. The user can select message menu edition65.

Referring to (b) of FIG. 10, the display 130 may display the screen thatis divided into two areas. An existing message kind selection anddeletion menu may be displayed on the upper area 21, and a new messagekind selection and addition menu may be displayed on the lower area 22.The user may select a reproduced content information transfer icon 61and may select a deletion icon 67. Further, the user may select avehicle speed information transfer icon 69 and may select an additionbutton 73. The icon deletion and addition operation may be performed asseparate operations, or may be simultaneously performed. If theoperations are simultaneously performed, as illustrated in (b) of FIG.10, the display device 100 displays the deletion button 67, the additionbutton 73, and a completion button (not illustrated), and if the userselects the completion button, the icon deletion and addition can besimultaneously performed. Further, the deletion button 67 and theaddition button 73 may not be displayed, but only the completion button(not illustrated) may be displayed. In this case, if the user selectsthe completion button, the deletion of the predetermined icon and theaddition of an icon that has not been determined may be simultaneouslyperformed.

Referring to (c) of FIG. 10, the display 130 displays a newly editedmessage kind menu screen. That is, a message kind menu screen may bedisplayed, on which the deleted reproduced content information transfericon 61 among the existing message kind menu selection icon is notdisplayed, but newly added vehicle speed information transfer icon 69 isincluded. If the user selects the added vehicle speed informationtransfer icon 69, the display device 100 performs the same process asthat illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Examples of new message kinds may bevehicle speed information, vehicle outdoor temperature, vehicle indoortemperature, user status information, and passenger boardinginformation.

Referring to FIG. 10, the process of editing a message kind menu hasbeen described. However, the templates stored to correspond to the kindsof messages can also be edited and updated. For example, the user mayselect a stored template edition button, and edit “I'm passing” that isstored to correspond to the location information to “Here is.”

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a use example of a mobile device and adisplay device connected to a vehicle according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates the state where the display device 100, the mobiledevice 200, and the electronic control unit 300 are connected in thewireless communication method in the vehicle. The display device 100 andthe mobile device 200 may be connected by wire, and the display device100 and the electronic control unit 300 may be connected by wire. FIG.11 illustrates a case where the display device 100 is built in thevehicle. However, the display device 100 may be independently provided,and may be detachably mounted on the vehicle.

If the display device 100 and the mobile device 200 are connected asshown in FIG. 11, the mobile device 200 transfers the received call,message, or data to the display device 100. If the display device 100 isconnected, the electronic control unit 300 transfers the vehicle-relatedinformation to the display device 100. The display device 100 maydisplay various kinds of data received from the mobile device 200 or theelectronic control unit 300.

The display device 100, the mobile device 200, or the electronic controlunit 300 obtains the vehicle location using the GPS chip providedtherein. That is, the location of the display device 100, the locationof the mobile device 200, and the location of the electronic controlunit 300 may be considered the same as the location of the vehicle.

The user may select a simple message preparation menu with respect tothe received message, and prepare a message through selection of thekind of the message to be transferred. For example, if the location,traffic status, and the estimated arrival time are selected, thecorresponding templates and the detection information are combined togenerate a sentence. If the user selects a transfer button, thegenerated message is transferred to the opposite party.

FIG. 11 exemplarily illustrates that the driver's mobile device 200 andthe display device 100 are connected. However, in the case where aplurality of passengers carry respective mobile devices, the displaydevice 100 may connect the plurality of mobile devices to the displaydevice 100 using the near field communication method. In this case, ifthe display device 100 receives advertisement information, the displaydevice 100 may transmit the advertisement information to the pluralityof mobile devices.

In order to perform operations according to various embodiments, thedisplay device 100 may include other constituent elements in addition tothe constituent elements as described above with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a displaydevice according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, a display device 100 a includes a memory 110, adetector 120, a display 130, a controller 140, a communicator 150, amultimedia unit 160, an image capturer 170, a sensor 180, and aninput/output unit 190.

The memory 110 stores various kinds of multimedia data processed by thecontroller 140, content data, and data received from an external source.

The memory 110 may store control programs for a control operation of thecontroller 140 and applications. Hereinafter, the term “memory” mayrefer to a ROM, a RAM, or a memory card (e.g., an SD card or a memorystick) that can be detachably mounted in the display device 100 a.Further, the memory may include a nonvolatile memory, a volatile memory,a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD).

The memory 110 stores a plurality of templates differently set by thekinds of messages. Further, if a call is made in the display device 100a, the memory 110 may store call details to be transferred to the server400.

The detector 120 detects different pieces of status information. Thedetector 120 may receive various kinds of information from a GPS module155, the electronic control unit 300 of the vehicle, or the server 400.

The display 130 displays multimedia content, images, moving images, andtexts under the control of the controller 140. The display 130 may beimplemented by a general display panel that does not have a touch inputfunction, or may be implemented by a touch display panel that canrecognize a user operation using a proximity sensor or a touch sensor.In the case where the display is implemented by the touch display panel,it may receive at least one touch gesture through a user's body (e.g.,fingers including a thumb) or any suitable input means (e.g., styluspen).

The user interface may include a predetermined touch area, soft key, anda soft menu. The display 130 may transfer an electronic signal thatcorresponds to at least one touch gesture input through the userinterface to the display 130 through an LCD controller (notillustrated). Further, the display 130 may detect continuous movement ofthe touch, and may transfer an electronic signal that corresponds tocontinuous or discontinuous movement of the touch to the LCD controller.

The display 130 may be implemented by, for example, a resistive type, acapacitive type, an infrared type, or an acoustic wave type display.

The display 130 converts a sensing signal according to a user'soperation, which is detected through the touch sensor, into a digitalsignal (e.g., X and Y coordinates), and transfers the digital signal tothe controller 140. The controller 140 may perform a control operationthat corresponds to a user's operation that is input through the display130 using the received digital signal. For example, the controller 140may operate to select a soft key that is displayed on the display 130 inresponse to the user's operation, or may execute an application thatcorresponds to the soft key.

The above-described user gesture is not limited to a direct contactbetween the display 130 and a user's body or a touchable input means,but includes non-contact type. The sensitivity of the user's operationthat can be detected through the display 130 may be changed inaccordance with the performance or the structure of the display device100 a.

The controller 140 includes a CPU, a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storingcontrol programs for controlling the display device 100 a, and a RAM(Random Access Memory) which stores signals or data input from outsideof the display device 100 a or is used as a storage area for workperformed in the display device 100 a. The CPU may include at least oneof single-core processor, a dual-core processor, a triple-coreprocessor, and a quad-core processor. The CPU, the ROM, and the RAM areconnected to each other through an internal bus.

The controller 140 controls the memory 110, the detector 120, thedisplay 130, the communicator 150, the multimedia unit 160, an imagecapturer 170, and the sensor 180.

The communicator 150 includes a cellular communication module 151, awireless LAN module 152, a near field communication module 153, aconnector 154, a GPS module 155, and a broadcasting communication module156.

The cellular communication module 151 makes the display device 100 aconnect to an external device (particularly, base station of a cellularsystem) through at least one or a plurality of antennas (notillustrated) using a wireless access technology according to a cellularcommunication protocol under the control of the controller 140.

Further, the cellular communication module 151 transmits/receives awireless signal that contains a voice call, a video call, a SMS (ShortMessage Service) message, or a multimedia (multimedia messaging service:MMS) message with a mobile phone having phone numbers input to thedisplay device 100 a, a smart phone, a tablet PC, or other communicabledevices.

The wireless LAN module 152 may be connected to the Internet, in a placewhere a wireless AP (Access Point) (not illustrated) is installed, underthe control of the controller 140. The wireless LAN module 152 supportsIEEE wireless LAN standards (IEEE802.11x).

The near field communication module 153 can perform NFC communicationbetween the display device 100 a and the external device. The NFCcommunication method may include a Bluetooth™, infrared communication(IrDA), and NFC.

The connector 154 provides an interface with various devices, such asUSB 2.0, USB 3.0, HDMI, and IEEE 1394. The connector 154 may be used asan interface for connecting the display device 100 a to an externaldevice or a power source. Under the control of the controller 140, thedata stored in the memory of the display device 100 a may be transferredto an external device through a wired cable connected to the connector154, or the data may be received from the external device. The power maybe input from a power source through a wired cable connected to theconnector 154. The power input may be a rechargeable battery (notillustrated).

The GPS module 155 may receive radio waves from a plurality of GPSsatellites (not illustrated) on orbits around the earth, and maycalculate the location of the display device 100 a using the time ofarrival from the GPS satellites (not illustrated) to the display device100 a and GPS parameters.

The broadcasting communication module 156 may receive a broadcastingsignal (e.g., TV broadcasting signal, a radio broadcasting signal, ordata broadcasting signal) and broadcasting additional information (e.g.,EPS (Electric Program Guide) or ESG (Electric Service Guide)) which areoutput from a broadcasting station through a broadcasting communicationantenna (not illustrated) under the control of the controller 140.

The multimedia unit 160 includes an audio reproduction module 161 and avideo reproduction module 162. The audio reproduction module 161 canreproduce a digital audio file (e.g., file having a file extension, suchas mp3, wma, ogg, or way) that is stored or received under the controlof the controller 140. The video reproduction module 162 supportsvarious types of codecs to reproduce a digital video file. That is, thevideo reproduction module 162 reproduces a video file by a codec that ispre-stored to match a codec type of a video file to be reproduced.Further, the audio reproduction module 161 or the video reproductionmodule 162 of the multimedia unit 160 may be included in the controller140.

The image capturer 170 captures a still image or moving image under thecontrol of the controller 140. The image capturer 170 may include aplurality of cameras. The image capturer 170 may include an auxiliarylight source (e.g., flash (not illustrated)) that provides the quantityof light required for capturing images.

The image capturer 170 transfers the captured image to the controller140. The controller 140 may detect user's motion or shape throughanalysis of an image, and may perform control operation corresponding tothe detected motion or shape. As an example, the user's motion refers toa motion of the user's hand detected through the image capturer 170. Theuser's shape refers to a user's face shape that is detected through theimage capturer 170.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display device 100 a may detect theuser's motion using a different means such as an infrared sensor, andexecute or control the application in response to the motion.

The image capturer 170 may be configured separately from the displaydevice 100 a. For example, the display device 100 a may be mountedinside the vehicle, and the image capturer 170 may be mounted on theoutside (e.g., front surface or rear surface) of the vehicle. Thedisplay device 100 a and the image capturer 170 may be connected by wireor wirelessly, and images of the front surface or rear surface of thevehicle, which are captured by the image capturer 170, may be displayedon the display device 100 a.

The sensor 180 may include at least one of a touch sensor 181, ageomagnetic sensor 182, an acceleration sensor 183, a hinge sensor 184,and a proximity sensor 185.

The touch sensor 181 is a sensor that can detect a user's touch on thedisplay device 130. The touch sensor 181 may be divided into anelectrostatic type and a piezoelectric type according to the method fordetecting the user's touch. The touch sensor 181 may be implemented bythe two types of sensors. Touch sensor 181 may constitute the displaytogether with the display panel.

The touch sensor 181 refers to a sensor that can input instructionsdisplayed on the display screen by pressing the touch screen with abody, such as a finger, or any suitable input means. The touch sensor181 may use capacitance change, resistance change, or light quantitychange to detect a touch.

The geomagnetic sensor 182 may detect an azimuth angle through detectionof geomagnetism. Accordingly, the geomagnetic sensor 182 recognizes thedirection of the display device 100 a. The acceleration sensor 183measures dynamic force, such as acceleration, vibration, or impact of anobject through processing of an output signal, and detects a change inthe moving speed of the display device 100 a or the strength of force.The proximity sensor 184 may detect the proximity of an object withrespect to the user's display device 100 a.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 12, the sensor 180 of the displaydevice 100 a may further include at least one of a gravity sensor fordetecting which direction the gravity acts, a gyro sensor that canrecognize six axes in total through putting rotation to the existingacceleration sensor, an orientation sensor that can automatically rotateor arrange the content through automatic detection of the horizontal orvertical frames of the content, such as an image, an illumination sensordetecting the quantity of light in the vicinity of the display device100 a, an altitude measurement sensor measuring atmospheric pressure, anRGB sensor detecting colors of an object, a distance measuring sensorfor measuring a distance using ultrasound or infrared rays, and a halleffect sensor outputting a variable output voltage according to thestrength of the magnetic field.

The respective sensors of the sensor 180 may detect the state, generateand transfer a signal corresponding to the detection to the controller140. The sensors of the sensor 180 may be added or deleted depending onthe performance of the display device 100 a.

The input/output unit 190 includes a buttons 190, a microphone 192, aspeaker 193, and a vibration motor 194.

The at least one button 191 may be formed on a front surface, a sidesurface, or a rear surface of the body of the display device 100 a, andmay be of a push type or a touch type. The buttons 191 may include atleast one of a power/locking button, a volume control button, a menubutton, a home button, a back button, and search button.

The microphone 192 receives voice or sound and generates an electricalsignal under the control of the controller 140.

The speaker 193 may output sound that corresponds to various signals(e.g., a wireless signal, a broadcasting signal, a digital audio file, adigital moving image file or photographing) of the cellularcommunication module 151, a wireless LAN module 152, a near fieldcommunication module 153, a multimedia unit 160, or an image capturer170, to outside under the control of the control unit 140.

The speaker 193 may output sound (button operation sound correspondingto a phone call or call connection sound) corresponding to the functionsperformed by the display device 100 a. One or a plurality of speakers193 may be formed at appropriate positions or positions of the body ofthe display device 100 a. As an example, the speaker 193 may include aninner speaker module which is arranged at a position suitable toapproach the user's ear during a call and an outer speaker module whichis arranged at a suitable position of the body of the display device 100a having higher output suitable to be used during reproduction ofaudio/video file or viewing a broadcast.

A vibration motor 194 may convert an electrical signal into mechanicalvibration under the control of the controller 140. For example, if avoice call is received from another device (not illustrated), thedisplay device 100 a that is in a vibration mode operates the vibrationmotor 194. One or a plurality of vibration motors 194 may be formed in abody of the display device 100 a. The vibration motor 194 may operate inresponse to a user's touch gesture that is sensed on the display 130 anda continuous movement of the touch that is sensed on the display 130.

A power supply (not illustrated) supplies power that is used in thedisplay device 100 a. The power supply may be implemented by arechargeable battery, and may further include a voltage converter whichconverts an external power supply and supplies the converted power tothe rechargeable battery.

The power supply may supply the power according to power managementcontrol in various modes, such as a maximum performance mode, a normalmode, a power saving mode, and a standby mode.

The display device 100 a may transfer call details and locationinformation of the display device 100 a to the server 400.

The above-described display device 100 a may not include all theconstituent elements, but may include only parts of the constituentelements according to exemplary embodiments. Further, if the displaydevice 100 a includes the cellular communication module 151, functionsthat are described as being performed by the mobile device 200 may beperformed in the display device 100 a.

Hereinafter, a method for the display device 100 a to generate andtransfer a message without the mobile device 200 will be described.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart illustrating a method for receiving currentstatus information and generating a message according to anotherexemplary embodiment. The display device 100 a explained with referenceto FIG. 13 may include a cellular communication module 151 andtransfer/receive a call and a message.

Referring to FIG. 13, the display device 100 a receives various kinds ofinformation from the server 400 or the web. For example, the variouskinds of information may be location information of the display device100 a, traffic information, or weather information. As described above,it is considered that the location information of the display device 100a and the location information of the vehicle are the same. Further, inthe case of reproducing content in another content reproduction devicein the vehicle, the display device 100 a may transfer audio data of thecontent being reproduced to the server 400 to request a search, andreceive content information from the server 400.

The display device 100 a receives vehicle information from theelectronic control unit 300 of the vehicle (S1320). For example,information that is received from the electronic control unit 300 of thevehicle may be vehicle speed information or vehicle temperatureinformation. The display device 100 a may store various kinds of vehicleinformation received from the vehicle, and display the vehicleinformation through the display.

The display device 100 a prepares a message (S1330). The detector 120 ofthe display device 100 a determines which status information is providedfrom the received various kinds of information, and detects thecorresponding status information. The display device 100 a stores thestatus information detected from the mobile device 200 and theelectronic control unit 300 of the vehicle. The various kinds ofinformation may be automatically transferred to the display device 100 aat a predetermined time or at a time when a specific event occurs. Themessage is generated through combination of the stored statusinformation corresponding to the selected status information menu andthe pre-stored template.

The display device 100 a transfers the prepared message to the externalmobile device (S1340). If the display device 100 a receives the messagepreparation completion command or the message transfer command, thedisplay device 100 a transfers the generated message to the externalmobile device. That is, the display device 100 a may be directlyconnected to the external device or the server 400. Further, the displaydevice 100 a may be connected to the electronic control unit 300 usingthe CAN communication method, and all information measured and detectedin the electronic control unit 300 may be automatically transferred tothe display device 100 a. For this, a more detailed explanation will bemade hereinafter.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a data frame format of CAN (ControllerArea Network) according to an exemplary embodiment.

The CAN refers to a vehicle network system for providing digital serialcommunication between various kinds of measurement control equipment. Byreplacing the complicated electrical wirings and relays of theelectronic components in the vehicle by serial communication lines withintelligence, the weight and the complexity can be reduced. Further, anabnormality which may occur due to an electronic interference can bediagnosed.

The CAN is the standard of multiple master broadcast serial buses forconnecting the electronic control unit. Respective nodes can send andreceive a message with each other, but are unable to simultaneously sendand receive the message. The message is composed of an ID that indicatesa priority of the message of 8 bytes at maximum. The devices connectedto the CAN normally include a sensor, an actuator, and other controldevices. The devices are not directly connected to the bus, but areconnected through a host processor and a CAN controller.

Like other network protocols, the CAN protocol includes a physicallayer, a transfer layer, an object layer, and an application layer. TheCAN may be set with two different message (or frame) formats. A normalframe supports an identifier of 11 bits, and an extension frame supportsan identifier of 29 bits.

Referring to FIG. 14, the CAN data frame format includes one-bit startof time field 1405, 11-bit or 29-bit identifier field 1410, one-bitremote transmission request (RTR) field 1415, 6-bit control field 1420,0-8-byte data field 1425, 15-bit cyclic redundancy checking (CRC) field1430, one-bit ACK delimiter field 1445, and 7-bit end of frame field1450.

The start of frame field 1405 indicates the start of frame transfer. Theidentifier field 1410 is for data that expresses a message priority, andin the case where two nodes simultaneously transfer messages, thetransfer order is determined according to the priority of the identifierfield 1410. If the RTR field 1415 is 0, it means dominant in the dataframe, and if the RTR field 1415 is 1, it means recessive in a remoteframe. The remote frame is a frame that is output when the receiverrequests data from the transmitter.

The control field 1420 includes one-bit identifier extension bit (IDE)field, one-bit reserved bit field, and four-bit data length code field.The data field 1425 includes data to be transferred. The CRC field 1430checks error through division of bits of a predetermined section. If ACKslot 1440 is 1, the transmitter sends recessive.

The CRC delimiter field 1435, the ACK delimiter field 1445, and an endof frame field 1450 must be 1 in recessive state.

As described above, communication between the electronic control unitsbecomes possible using the CAN, and the vehicle status information maybe transferred to the display device 100 a, such as a head unit (H/U) ofthe vehicle.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a message transfer method of the displaydevice 100 a or 100 according to an exemplary embodiment.

The display device detects different pieces of status information(S1510). The plural pieces of status information may be locationinformation of the display device, traffic status information, estimatedarrival time information, weather information, content information thatis reproduced through the display device, current user statusinformation, passenger boarding information, vehicle speed information,temperature information, and radio channel information that a userlistens to. The detected status information may be stored in the memory.

The display device display a message transfer screen (S1520). If amessage to be transferred is selected, the display device combines thecorresponding template and status information (S1530). The correspondingtemplate is pre-stored in the memory to correspond to the kinds ofmessages. The kinds of messages or the stored templates can be edited bythe user. The display device transfers the message according to theuser's transfer command (S1540).

The message transfer method of the display device according to exemplaryembodiments as described above may be implemented by a program and maybe provided to the display device.

As an example, a non-transitory computer readable medium, which stores aprogram to execute detecting different pieces of status information,displaying a message transfer screen, automatically generating a messagethrough combination of one of a plurality of templates that aredifferently set by kinds of messages and stored and the statusinformation, which respectively correspond to the selected kind ofmessage, if the kind of message to be transferred is selected on themessage transfer screen, and transferring the message to an externaldevice, may be provided.

The non-transitory computer readable medium may be a medium whichsemi-permanently stores data and is readable by a device. Specifically,various applications and programs as described above may be stored andprovided in the non-transitory computer readable medium, such as, a CD,a DVD, a hard disc, a Blu-ray disc, a USB, a memory card, and a ROM.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been particularly shown anddescribed, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes in form and detail may be made therein without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the inventive concept, as defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device of a vehicle, the display devicecomprising: a communicator configured to communicate with a mobiledevice for transmitting and receiving a message; a display configured todisplay the message received from the mobile device and a responsemessage for replying to the message; a detector configured to detectstatus information of the vehicle; a memory configured to store aplurality of templates corresponding to the response message; and acontroller configured to automatically generate the response messagethrough combination of at least one of the plurality of templates andthe detected status information of the vehicle, which respectivelycorrespond to a selected kind of message, when the kind of message to betransferred is selected, wherein the kind of message to be transferredis selected by selecting at least one icon among a plurality of iconsdisplayed on the display, the plurality of icons including at least oneicon corresponding to the status information of the vehicle.
 2. Thedisplay device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of templatesare configured to be updated according to a user operation.
 3. Thedisplay device as claimed in claim 1, wherein kinds of messages includeat least one of a first message for notifying of location information ofthe display device, a second message for notifying of traffic statusinformation, a third message for notifying of estimated arrival timeinformation, a fourth message for notifying of weather information, anda fifth message for notifying of content information that is reproducedthrough the display device, and the detected status information of thevehicle includes at least one of the location information of the displaydevice, the traffic status information, the estimated arrival timeinformation, the weather information, and the content information thatis reproduced through the display device.
 4. The display device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of templates are differentlyset according to kinds of messages, and wherein the kinds of messagesare configured to be edited according to a user operation.
 5. Thedisplay device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller isconfigured to control the communicator to transfer call details andlocation information of the display device to a server when a phone callis made.
 6. A message transfer method of a display device of a vehicle,comprising: communicatively connecting with a mobile device fortransmitting and receiving a message; detecting status information ofthe vehicle; displaying the message received from the mobile device;automatically generating a response message for replying to the messagethrough combination of one of a plurality of stored templates that aredifferently set according to kinds of messages and the detected statusinformation of the vehicle, which respectively correspond to a selectedkind of message, when the kind of message to be transferred is selected;and transferring the generated message to an external device, whereinthe kind of message to be transferred is selected by selecting at leastone icon among a plurality of icons displayed on a display of thedisplay device, the plurality of icons including at least one iconcorresponding to the status information of the vehicle.
 7. The messagetransfer method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plurality of storedtemplates are updated according to a user operation.
 8. The messagetransfer method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the kinds of messagesinclude at least one of a first message for notifying of locationinformation of the display device, a second message for notifying oftraffic status information, a third message for notifying of estimatedarrival time information, a fourth message for notifying of weatherinformation, and a fifth message for notifying of content informationthat is reproduced through the display device, and the detected statusinformation of the vehicle includes at least one of the locationinformation of the display device, the traffic status information, theestimated arrival time information, the weather information, and thecontent information that is reproduced through the display device. 9.The message transfer method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the kinds ofmessages are edited according to a user operation.
 10. The messagetransfer method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising transferringcall details and location information of the display device to a serverwhen a phone call is made.
 11. A message transfer system including amobile device and a display device of a vehicle, comprising: the mobiledevice configured to transfer a received message and sender informationto the display device; and the display device configured to detectstatus information of the vehicle, display the message received from themobile device, automatically generate a response message to replaying tothe message through combination of one of a plurality of storedtemplates that are differently set according to kinds of messages andthe detected status information of the vehicle, which respectivelycorrespond to a selected kind of message, when the kind of message to betransferred is selected, and transfer the generated response message tothe mobile device so that the mobile device sends the message as thesender information, wherein the mobile device is configured to transferthe generated response message as the sender information, and whereinthe kind of message to be transferred is selected by selecting at leastone icon among a plurality of icons displayed on a display of thedisplay device, the plurality of icons including at least one iconcorresponding to the status information of the vehicle.
 12. A method ofgenerating a message comprising: displaying vehicle informationregarding a detected status of a vehicle and other information obtainedfrom an external device on a display implemented in the vehicle; storinga plurality of templates that are differently set according to each ofthe vehicle information and the other information; selecting, through auser input, one of a plurality of options corresponding to the pluralityof templates; and generating the message by combining one of theplurality of templates corresponding to the selected one of theplurality of options wherein the selecting the one of the plurality ofoptions comprises selecting, by the user input, at least one icon amonga plurality of icons displayed on the display implemented in thevehicle, the plurality of icons including at least one iconcorresponding to the vehicle information.
 13. The method of claim 12,further comprising transferring the generated message to the externaldevice.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the external device is amobile device.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the message is ashort message service (SMS) message.
 16. The method of claim 12, whereinthe vehicle information comprises information generated by sensors inthe vehicle.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the other informationcomprises information from a mobile device.